Italy’s more experienced players were reportedly ‘decisive’ in CesarePrandelli opting to resign as Coach.

Following the Azzurri’s group stage exit from the World Cup and in spite of having agreed pre-tournament to a two-year extension, the 56-year-old announced his intention to resign as CT.

The Gazzettadello Sport report that crucial to his decision was alleged discontent among the squad’s more senior players, their ‘senatori’, specifically Daniele De Rossi and those from Juventus.

It is alleged that this group were left unhappy with a number of aspects, beginning with squad named, calling for another striker to have perhaps been included, namely Giuseppe Rossi.

Then, the location of the team’s training retreat in Brazil, situated at Mangaratiba, was considered ‘too rural’, whilst the group of senior stars also apparently took issue with the ‘relaxed attitude’ of the likes of Lorenzo Insigne and AlessioCerci, particularly during the match with Costa Rica, which the team lost 1-0.

The side’s ‘defensive attitude’ also apparently came in for criticism as did Prandelli’s perceived ‘continued defence’ of Mario Balotelli.

It is understood that these complaints levied against Prandelli, followed by GigiBuffon and De Rossi’s words made to the media, weighed heavily in his decision to step down as boss.